Halloween 2011. Oct 29th on the Magic

[MommaMouse411]

Gail isn't that how it goes...things break down at the wrong time...

 

[glindamood]

We have lived in that house since 97 and it was not new when we purchased it so I guess it really does not owe us anything. I just think some warning would have been nice. Then again, better that than the furnace!

 

[sumlee]

TiffanyD - Thanks so much for the awseome trip report! Sorry I didn't comment on it earlier - I obviously haven't been here on the board for a long time! Sounds like you had a great trip! Reading it made me even more excited for our cruise coming up! Thanks again!

 

[sumlee]

Hey everyone! I haven't been here for a while, so I had a lot of reading to catch up on! We are super excited! We can't wait for October to come. We just bought our plane tickets and will be flying in on the Sunday before the cruise to catch 5 days at DisneyWorld (we've never been)! Not sure where we'll be staying yet. Maybe Port Orleans? We are planning on doing MNSSHP one of the nights, probably a weeknight for smaller crowds.

Sounds like people are starting to think of excursions. We're thinking of walking/exploring/shopping in Key West, doing some scuba in Grand Cayman, and booking a Tulum ruins tour in Cozumel. I guess we'll do whatever the kids want to do in Castaway Cay. I hope we have good weather!

We also have exciting news - we are expecting a baby girl in May, so we will be bringing another little princess with us on the ship. She will be 5 months old at the time. Any advice for cruising with an infant?

 

[glindamood]

Hey everyone! I haven't been here for a while, so I had a lot of reading to catch up on! We are super excited! We can't wait for October to come. We just bought our plane tickets and will be flying in on the Sunday before the cruise to catch 5 days at DisneyWorld (we've never been)! Not sure where we'll be staying yet. Maybe Port Orleans? We are planning on doing MNSSHP one of the nights, probably a weeknight for smaller crowds.

Sounds like people are starting to think of excursions. We're thinking of walking/exploring/shopping in Key West, doing some scuba in Grand Cayman, and booking a Tulum ruins tour in Cozumel. I guess we'll do whatever the kids want to do in Castaway Cay. I hope we have good weather!

We also have exciting news - we are expecting a baby girl in May, so we will be bringing another little princess with us on the ship. She will be 5 months old at the time. Any advice for cruising with an infant?

Congrats! What a blessing!! I have no advice for cruising with infants as my baby is going to be 22 soon (and the oldest one 30) but it will all work out. The only thing I have read is to be sure to book your time in Flounders if you are going to use that as it fills quickly - from what I have read.

Well, our nice weather is gone - no snow but it was back in the 30's this morning and where it belongs for February I guess. And, I have hot water - now that is a blessing too.

 

[MommaMouse411]

Sumlee I brought my baby at 8months on the ship..it wasn't easy but it was still mad fun! I used the nursery at least couple hours a day...but I enjoyed having the baby with me...you should read my TR to see how my vacay went with the two boys...

 

[sumlee]

Sumlee I brought my baby at 8months on the ship..it wasn't easy but it was still mad fun! I used the nursery at least couple hours a day...but I enjoyed having the baby with me...you should read my TR to see how my vacay went with the two boys...

Thanks, MommaMouse! Going to check out your trip report right now!

 

[SCDizneyDawn]

Hi everyone! Been a while since I came back to check on this tread! Looks like we finally have some chatter, that is great!

To anyone considering the Westin in GC here is a recent review with a trip to the Westin
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2636519

I am not sure if any of you saw my report from our Magic Cruise this past Oct 30, 2010, but here it is:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2629653

Unfortunately we forgot to bring the camera, so we have no pictures!

The best thing we did the whole week was our trip to Rum Point in GC. I loved it and we will be returning. I think it is a great price at $59 pp because it includes lunch and all transportation. But the trip is about 1hour to get to the beach, can be a long trip for some, so that is important to consider if you are thinking of the trip.
Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

 

[glindamood]

Hi Dawn. I agree - Rum Point is gorgeous and the food is good as well - really good. We did the Rays, Reef and Rum Point with NativeWay on our first visit to GC and totally enjoyed it.

To anyone that is interested in snorkeling om GC - we took an excursion with DCL in 2009 and snorkeled right in front of where the ships all anchor - I was so disappointed to see where they were taking us. But, that was truly awesome snorkeling - lots to see.

As far as Nachi goes - we were supposed to take a family reunion cruise last year on Princess and I had booked Nachi for my family along with snorkeling. Well, Grandma fell and broke her hip right before final payment was due so we opted not to go on the cruise. I emailed them that we would not be going (the documentation clearly states no refunds unless your ship does not dock), not expecting a refund but letting them know they had open spots and low and behold, I did get a credit with them for future visits. I intend to use that for this trip. I was pleased they let me roll it over. So that takes care of our plans in Cozumel.

 

[MommaMouse411]

@ Gail...I was thinking of doing Nachi resort at Cozumel..but it looks like my cousins are backing out of the cruise and wanting to do the april 2012 cruise with me instead...so I'll be alone with the boys and I was thinking of NOT getting off at Cozumel. I don't know yet...

 

[glindamood]

@ Gail...I was thinking of doing Nachi resort at Cozumel..but it looks like my cousins are backing out of the cruise and wanting to do the april 2012 cruise with me instead...so I'll be alone with the boys and I was thinking of NOT getting off at Cozumel. I don't know yet...

I will say, the beach is gorgeous but the drop off goes rather quickly. This is DH heading out to snorkel and watch how quickly it gets deep. I don't know if it was just that way where he went in or all the way down the beach.

There were a few children in the pool but grade school kids.

 

[MommaMouse411]

wow look at the water...so clean looking!

I wasn't too crazy about cozumel when I went there several years ago..so that's why I'm thinking I'm going to stay on the ship...I'm hoping that everybody will get off at Cozumel and then my son and I can have the mickey pool to ourselves!! My little one will probably be in nursery since he will be too little to go in the pool.

so far, for Key West I think we are going to get off for a little bit...want to take the boys to see the butterfly conservatory but that's about it..no real interest at Key West.

my only wish is that when we get to Castaway Cay that is is HOT and SUNNY!!!

 

[glindamood]

Nachi was gorgeous, the service and food top notch, clean and most importantly, not crowded. I would just worry about your little ones in the water, unless that drop off has been evened out some. My biggest issue is that darn 'mall' that you have to walk through to get out.

I am with you on Key West, we did the tram ride the last time we were there and it is interesting but I have never been there when it was below 90 degrees. The first time we walked all the way to the southern most point and I thought I would die before we got back. I went into shops just to cool off. That is one long haul. You might try the tram - your children would be free.

 

[storms71]

I was wondering about Rum Point Beach we went to 7mile beach last year and we were not to thrilled the food was real expensive I think we are going to Rum Point beach this year. Also looking to go to beach in Cozumel this year and we did the walk last year in key west and it took it toll we are going to rent one of those electric cars this year to drive around.

 

[glindamood]

I have been to Rum Point Beach but it was part of a tour and included lunch so I am of no help as to what the prices were, beside the fact that it was at least 5 years ago. Have you all explored Cruise Critic? They have an entire section on ports and may have a price list there as well as some possible other options.

Not much new here - except the hot water heater. The guy came out twice last week, once to check out the structure and tell us if we could do a tankless or one of the newer high effeciency heaters but to redo the venting it would have been $1000 plus the price of the tank. Sorry, I have a Disney addiction and that just didn't make much sense. So, he fixed what was wrong with the existing one (like a band aid) and he came back yesterday and installed the new, standard one. I must say, I was impressed.

 

[MommaMouse411]

I think for the most part when I go on a disney cruise I will probably hang out on the ship rather than get off at port, especially if I'm going to be by myself with the boys. My kids father has a crazy job, so its hard for him to commit to going with us on a cruise..thats happened last time..he was so disappointed he had to back out of the cruise.

Once the boys are older then we'll be more adventurous.

But i love cruises. and I think I'm going to be a platinum cruiser

also have we discussed participating in a Fish Extender?

 

[glindamood]

You are brave to head out with 2 small children. I agree that the ship is a destination in and of itself - love it as well but I do enjoy the ports, to some extent anyway. Do you have to travel far to get to the port?

I just booked Nachi so that takes care of our Cozumel day. If I do a ship day on a port day, it may very well be Key West. It is interesting but that heat is opressive to me. Funny how the first think I remember there is the heat. DH doesn't want to do the trolly so if any walking is done - it will be to a close by bar.

FE - well, I went looking to purchase a new one on ebay yesterday so I hope we do. And I really, really, REALLY hope we get more DISer's joining us. I must say, this is the smallest group I have ever been involved with. Our PC went to 5 threads and there were over 130 cabins. Oh well, it is early and others will join in.

 

[glindamood]

Forgot to add - platinum cruiser is possible, doable and a great goal. I made it on the first leg of our B2B in 2009.

 

[MommaMouse411]

I do alot of things by ourselves...since technically the dad and I are not "together". but I sort of like it that way..to have that quality time with my kids. When I was on the Wonder, like I really enjoyed my time..I didn't have to clean, cook, walk the dog, take calls from work, so my kids were soo happy. The baby didn't want to let me go. You know it felt nice to devote my total attention to them and to also enjoy the "vacation".

I do hope the thread does grow...I was thinking of how I wanted to make my next FE. Last time I made it a little too big. This time I have the measurements and I want to make it halloween themed...check out our boarding shirt disign:

 

[glindamood]

Open mouth, insert foot, take a big bite! So sorry. My bad! And my face is red too. But I still give you lots of credit for heading out alone on such a big trip. I used to drive from Kentucky to northern Ohio by myself with 2 small children, one that I was still nursing and thought nothing of it. And that was before cell phones. Wow, that is pretty amazing come to think of it myself.

Cute graphic! I can't sew a lick - well, maybe a button, so I ordered mine when we went on the Southern back in 2004 maybe and embellished it but it is pretty sad and dreary so there is someone on ebay that makes them so I think I wiil just look her up. Or rework mine. Decisions, decisions!